China Travel Guides

Travel Health:

There have been confirmed cases of Swine Flu in Mainland China.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers
coming from infected areas. There is a risk of malaria throughout
the low-lying areas of the country, and it is recommended that
travellers to China seek medical advice before departure. A total
of 18 human cases of avian influenza ('bird flu') have been
reported from China since November 2005. Twelve of the cases were
fatal. Travellers are unlikely to be affected by bird flu, but live
animal markets and places where contact with live poultry is
possible should be avoided. All poultry and egg dishes should also
be thoroughly cooked. Outbreaks of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome) are few and far between, although the last fatality was
in 2008. Travellers are warned to remain vigilant against this
viral disease. Japanese encephalitis has been responsible for the
deaths of a number of people in the Shaanxi and Shanxi provinces in
northern China, and rabies infects people every year, occasionally
causing death. Outbreaks of dengue fever occur. A variant of hand,
foot and mouth disease, an intestinal virus has also been prevalent
in 2008, with children being at particular risk. Altitude sickness
can occur in the mountainous regions of Tibet, Qinghai, parts of
Xinjiang, and western Sichuan. Outside city centres, visitors
should only drink bottled water. Western-style medical centres with
international staff are available in the major cities and usually
accept credit cards. Health insurance is recommended.